Germs lurk everywhere, populating surfaces from public restroom sinks to kitchen counters and computer keyboards. A single sneeze from a flu sufferer launches thousands of virus particles across an entire room, and those germs can linger in the air for hours. Most people’s immune system can deftly handle these would-be invaders, but anyone with autoimmune and inflammatory forms of arthritis need to take special precautions. The same drugs that suppress the joint-damaging immune response can leave you vulnerable to bugs that cause disease.

Learn how to clean some of the most commonly germ-infested areas of your home and office, and protect yourself from bacteria and viruses that can make you sick.